I always knew a leather jacket would be the one piece that defined my style. Yes, I realize that sounds very…I don’t know, bratty? But guess what? I was right. Sometimes there’s one (potentially expensive) piece you spend your life building up. Say, a Burberry trench. Or diamond earrings. Or maybe it’s as simple as the perfect plain white tee. Mine was a leather jacket. But if it wasn’t my high expectations that got in the way of me buying a leather (or even faux leather) jacket, it was my confidence, or lack thereof.

In many ways the blog has changed my life, but because it’s a style blog where I occasionally post my own outfits, it’s also given me more confidence in myself and my style. It went from, “I don’t know if I can pull off a look” to “I’m just going to do it”. It’s amazing what that change in mindset can do, and not just with style.

That’s why I love leather jackets. That badass vibe. The POWER that comes with it. So over the past year or so I’ve been getting more and more comfortable with myself and this year for my birthday I got a leather jacket.

My life changed! Haha ok not really. But something changes when I put on that jacket. I consider it like a spell, armor, a security blanket, whatever I need it to be in that moment.

Personal style comes from within. It’s when the woman, her individuality and spirit, comes through. She uses clothes to express who she is and how she feels, – Donna Karen.

That’s what we’re all striving for. Style as personal expression. And we let other things like self-doubt get in the way of that. But you shouldn’t. It’s amazing how one piece can change how you carry yourself.

So welcome the most “me” outfit on the blog to date. Leather jacket, bodysuit, black skinny jeans, black ankle boots. I was lucky enough to get a chance to shoot this outfit with Lauren of Lauren Wilks Photography. It was my first time meeting and working with her and she instantly put me at ease. It was the fastest shoot I’ve ever done and so insanely enjoyable. Lauren is such a sweetheart. Getting me to laugh, taking photos and then being like, “oh my gosh you’re going to love this!” Her positive, joyful vibes were contagious and I was off strutting and smirking and attempting to flip my hair just so. It was such a great shoot. I have another outfit post from this shoot coming to the blog sometime soon, but I hope to work with Lauren again in the future. Thank you for these photos, Lauren!